Carson National Forest
Carson National Forest covers over 2,600 square miles of high desert, pine forests & rugged mountain terrain in northern New Mexico. With iconic peaks like the Truchas Peaks and a network of trails, it’s a year-round destination for hiking, camping & wildlife viewing.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Southwest U.S. |
| Subregion | Western United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Taos County |
| District | Carson National Forest |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 36.5 |
| Longitude | -106.3 |
| Maps |
9:34 PM LOCAL TIMECarson National Forest is a sprawling landscape of alpine basins, high-desert plateaus and pinemixed forests that spans north-central New Mexico. The centerpiece is the Truchas Peaks complex, offering challenging hikes, technical climbs and stunning summit panoramas. To the south and east, you'll find quieter trail corridors, several alpine lakes, and opportunities for suitable trail routes and seasonal activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Major access points include Taos and Cedar Crest, with a dense trail network that supports day hikes, longer backpacking routes and dispersed camping. The region is rich in local flora and fauna, with abundant Picoides villosus (hairy woodpecker), Salvelinus fontinalis (brook trout) and alpine plants above timberline. Practical considerations include variable weather, high-elevation driving routes and the need to follow established trail and camping regulations for sustainability and safety.
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